Today the PWA confirmed that the season finale wave event in Chile has been cancelled, and the 2013 Wave World Champion will be crowned at the JP Aloha Classic currently taking place in Maui.
With the local boys from teh AWt thrown into the mix, Levi Siver sits in first after the single elimination, the men’s title race has intensified even more.

With the South American comp now off the schedule Daida Moreno becomes the ladies champion after just one contest in 2013.

As-it-stands, with a Double Elimination at Ho’okipa still to complete, the mens wave rankings look like this:

1. Alex Mussolini

2. Marcilio Browne

3. Victor Fernandez

4. Thomas Traversa

5. Jules Denel

(6. Philip Koester)

The double elimination at the JP Aloha classic is set to begin later today.

Siver snatches the victory from under the nose of Seadi after an epic day in Ho’okipa

The wind and wave Gods were shining over Ho’okipa Beach Park on the fifth day of the JP Aloha Classic – presented by Nalu Kai – as the PWA single elimination was completed in epic conditions. Just as the forecast predicted the wind and waves built throughout the day, and by the time the competition was reaching its climax the swell was pumping with over mast high sets rolling into Ho’okipa, providing a pulsating finale to a enthralling day. Levi Siver (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC) impressed with aggressive hacks and tweaked aerials, his was reward was the single elimination victory.

“You know we are here with the best people in the world at the best beach in the world and Ho’okipa went off today! I just tried to give it my best and try not to think too much when I was out there. I just wanted to have fun, enjoy it and keep improving. Like I’ve already said I was really competing the whole time, I just told myself that I want to enjoy it. At the end of the day we’re all friends who love this sport and I think we should keep that spirit of Aloha, and just keep encouraging each other. I’m feeling really humble, there’s so many good sailors and they are all first place in my eyes, they all rip so hard! Thanks to everybody!” – Levi Siver after winning the JP Aloha Classic Single Elimination

Today at the JP Aloha Classic was planned to be ‘Youth Day,’ and Pro riders Kevin Pritchard (Ezzy, Starboard, MFC), Levi Siver (Goya, Quatro, MFC), and 2013 AWT Aloha Classic winner Bernd Roediger (Goya, Quatro, MFC), held a 9am clinic for the Youth riders at Ho’okipa. It is great to have such experience on hand to help advise and inspire the next generation. Wiley Daniel (Hot Sails Maui) at 8 yrs old is the youngest competitor in the field and boy does this kid rip!

The forecast for Saturday had been poor, and with Riders enjoying good food, music, and discussed the day’s action over a few beers on Friday night. Despite a building breeze it was decided to call a lay day, and release all fleets at 11am.

With a similar for Sunday, it looks like we are unlikely to see a return to action until at least Monday. Mast high surf, and solid winds are expected to hit Maui’s north shore in preparation for the ‘Clash of the Titans,’ as the best from the AWT go head to head with the best from the PWA. Be sure to have your computer tuned into the LIVE cast ,and with first round matchups like Kauli Seadi vs. Kevin Pritchard, Bernd Roediger vs. Francisco Goya and Robby Naish vs. Flo Jung the action is going to be intense right from the start, and it will be interesting to see how much local knowledge will play a part when and if the big sets roll in.

Bernd Roediger claims his second straight AWT victory and second Maui win!

“Wow! Another final at Hookipa! I was standing on the beach and I couldn’t believe it. When they called out the final four I was struck by an overwhelming thought. If I was going to go on a surf trip to score sick waves there are a lot of people I would ask to go. Three of the top names would obviously be Keith Teboul, Levi Siver, and Camille Juban. These guys are incredible watermen and I have always admired their style on the waves. Keith is so vertical its nuts, Levi is the most fluid windsurfing with explosive power and Camille is the master of combining slashy turns with all the best aerial tricks! And here we are in the 2013 AWT Pro Final. Its hard not to get caught watching while your trying to beat them at the same time! I’m so thankful to all my sponsors, Quatro, Goya, MFC, H2O & Quiksilver. To these three guys, because they have inspired me to dream the impossible, I thank you!” Bernd Roediger, AWT Pro Maui Champion 2012 & 2013

Tam Mullen put together this best of Ho’okipa clip from his footage gathered over his last few trips (2010-2012) to Maui including a Double Air Taka from Brawzinho, Double Loop off the lip from Philip Köster, Back Loops off the lip from Ricardo Campello & Köster, One handed Air Taka from Levi Siver and an insane “upside down reverse” from Ricardo to finish the video!

The day started early with the opening ceremony at 9am which streamed LIVE across windsurfing sites, and was provided by the PWA and AWT. The thought provoking Hawaiian blessing asked for wind and waves and almost immediately the breeze started to build ruffling the head high surf. It was amazing to have riders from all over the world come together during this spiritual moment at the home of windsurfing.

The beach was full of World Champions. Jason Polakow was unable to compete this year, Robby Naish is.

With the competition now officially open Head Judge Duncan Coombs decided to run straight into the AWT Pro fleet with the first 16 heats of Round #1 while keeping the option to run all fleets later. It was not long before it was clear that the combination of fun conditions and motivated riders was delivering excellent competition. It was decided that we would continue with Round 2 and heats 17 through 24 before moving into the Women’s heats.

n 2006 JP Australia sponsored the Aloha Classic for the first time. Back then Josh Angulo won the event ahead of Jason Polakow and Kevin Pritchard.

After not having a PWA event on Maui since then, JP finally decided that it is time to step up and become again the title sponsor of the Aloha Classic and bring the best wave sailors back to Maui for a PWA competition.

JP is very proud to be able to help to make this finally happening and looks forward to see the best and most radical wave riders on this planet to perform in the prestigious Aloha Classic.

Naish to challenge for the title one more time at the JP Aloha Classic

Press Release from the AWT

The stage is now set for what promises to be one of the biggest clashes of windsurfing talent in living memory. Robby Naish, probably the biggest name in the history of windsurfing, has confirmed his participation in the upcoming JP Aloha Classic that begins on Thursday 24th October, at Ho’okipa Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii.

For the first time since 2000, Naish will compete on the PWA World Tour. Taking the third “Champions” wildcard alongside Kevin Pritchard and Josh Angulo, directly into the main PWA event, Naish will complete a competition line-up that spans over three generations. Some of the newest and most innovative talent in the sport will go head to head with the very pioneers that paved the way for modern day windsurfing to become the explosive, dynamic and action packed sport that it has evolved into.

In the challenging, historic surf of Ho’okipa, the experience and mastery of the ocean, held firm by the old guard, will offer a perfect contrast to the unorthodox and radical departures of the goiter generation. A true test of “bread and butter” top to bottom wave riding versus aerial trickery will ensue, as all riders leave caution on the beach and go all in to try and claim their seat at the elusive Ho’okipa winners table.

Naish was keen to point out that his contention for the Aloha Classic title was not something to be taken too lightly. At 50 years of age, he is in some of the best shape of his life and his sheer presence will be enough to deter all but the steeliest opponents.

Robby Naish

“Before anyone gets too excited, this is not the start of a comeback, it is simply an opportunity to challenge myself a little bit and have some fun in the competition arena again – and there is no finer arena than Ho’okipa for the Aloha. Its been 7 years since the last pro tour event at Ho’okipa and 7 years since the last Aloha Classic and there is no more prestigious event title in the sport. I am not setting out to prove anything, just simply to rise to the challenge before me and mainly have fun in my own backyard along with some of the finest windsurf talent out there”

The 2013 JP Aloha Classic will bring together the American Windsurfing Tour and the PWA World Tour to create one of the biggest wave sailing events of all time. But don’t worry if you can’t make it to Maui for the event itself, the pro divisions will be broadcast live via the internet and will be available to watch on demand afterwards so don’t miss out.

For further information and for all the action as it happens, tune into www.pwaworldtour.com and www.americanwindsurfingtour.com from the 24th October to see the likes of Koster, Fernandez, Browne, Stone, Angulo, Pritchard, Roediger, Juban, Siver, Mussolini and of course, Robby Naish together in full blown competition action for the first and possibly last time ever!